Three days into training camp, coach Rex Ryan named Incognito the team’s starting left guard. Ryan made the announcement Sunday when he included Incognito along with center Eric Wood and left tackle Cordy Glenn as three offensive linemen he regards as starters.

“One thing’s for sure, Richie’s a starter,” Ryan said. “He looks about as good as any of them. He really does.”

That’s a significant step for Incognito, the eighth-year player who signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in February. He had been out of football since midway through the 2013 season, when he was suspended for being a central figure in a bullying scandal that led to offensive lineman Jonathan Martin leaving the Dolphins.

An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen persistently harassed Martin, who played for San Francisco last season.

Incognito went unsigned last season despite being reinstated by the NFL.

Ryan credited Incognito for taking advantage of his second chance, and praised him for reporting to camp in “great shape.”

“He’s everything we thought he’d be,” Ryan said, noting Incognito was among the team’s top players in conditioning tests held on Thursday, a day before camp opened in suburban Rochester. “I think he’s probably along further than I even thought he’d be as far as coming back in shape. It’s like he never missed any time.”

The Bills are retooling their offensive line, which was one of the team’s weak spots last season. Rookie third-round pick John Miller and Cyril Richardson are competing to start at right guard. Second-year players Seantrel Henderson and Cyrus Kouandjio are competing to start at right tackle.

Incognito was pleased when informed of Ryan’s comments. He thanked the coach, general manager Doug Whaley, his teammates and new Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula for giving him the opportunity to play. Incognito met personally with the Pegulas before the Bills extended him a contract offer.

“It was a long road back. There were darker times. It was something at times I didn’t think was going to happen,” Incognito said, referring to the time he spent out of football. “Now I’m just trying to earn everyone’s respect and make guys around me better.”

Ryan’s announcement coincided with the first day Bills players were allowed to practice in pads.

The significance of putting on pads wasn’t lost on Incognito, who hasn’t worn them since his last game, a 22-20 overtime win over Cincinnati on Oct. 31, 2013.

“You know it left a bad taste in my mouth to kind of leave the game like that,” Incognito said. “A lot of time away. A lot of time to think. And today, I definitely woke up with that in the back of my head.”

This is Incognito’s second stint with the Bills. He played in three games for Buffalo in 2009, when the Bills claimed him after he was waived by the St. Louis Rams.

]]>http://wivb.com/ap/rex-ryan-lists-guard-richie-incognito-among-bills-starters/feed/0Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:14:08 +0000Richie IncognitolinamandajoyalGraham embraces move to safetyhttp://wivb.com/2015/08/01/graham-embraces-move-to-safety/
http://wivb.com/2015/08/01/graham-embraces-move-to-safety/#commentsSun, 02 Aug 2015 02:59:37 +0000http://wivb.com/?p=158583]]>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) – Corey Graham is learning on the fly, trying to lock down a starting role in his new position at safety.

Graham, who played cornerback throughout his NFL career, first made the switch earlier this offseason. Through the first two days of training camp, he’s been out there with the starters – ahead of safety Duke Williams, who practiced with the top unit in OTA’s and minicamp.

“When you’re able to play man coverage in the safety position that is huge. So I think that’s obviously a big plus for us, and we want to plat a lot of man, so having that kind of skillset really helps,” said head coach Rex Ryan.

For Graham, having experience in the league – even though it was at a different position – helped ease his transition.

“Yeah definitely, because you kind of know defenses. You know the schemes and things like that, so it helps that I already know football a little bit. It’s a good time for me to play it. I’ll continue to get better and better, I just have to get the playbook. Being in Rex’s defense doesn’t make it easy. It’s a lot of calls and things like that, but it’s something I’m prepared to do,” said Graham.

The Bills return to practice at St. John Fisher on Sunday morning at 10am.

]]>http://wivb.com/2015/08/01/graham-embraces-move-to-safety/feed/0Sun, 02 Aug 2015 02:59:37 +0000Corey GrahamwivbsteveveseyMcKelvin setback could open door for Darbyhttp://wivb.com/2015/08/01/mckelvin-setback-could-open-door-for-darby/
http://wivb.com/2015/08/01/mckelvin-setback-could-open-door-for-darby/#commentsSun, 02 Aug 2015 02:50:57 +0000http://wivb.com/?p=158580]]>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) – Rex Ryan revealed that Leodis McKelvin had a setback with his ankle, which clears the way for more practice reps for Ronald Darby with the starters.

Darby, the team’s second round draft pick, has been impressive through the first two days of camp.

“It’s a lot tougher because you know in college some weeks you probably going up against, no disrespect, a rinky dink receiver – someone you might not respect. In the NFL, everyone’s good. Like that’s their college’s best receivers, you gotta come a lot more tuned in and locked in,” said Darby.

Ryan already feels comfortable with the rookie out there.

“It is not the first time we ever started a rookie. So we feel like this guy can play. Hopefully Leodis comes back soon. But obviously if he doesn’t the next man steps up but we feel good about Darby,” said Ryan.

]]>http://wivb.com/2015/08/01/mckelvin-setback-could-open-door-for-darby/feed/0Sun, 02 Aug 2015 02:50:57 +0000Ronald DarbywivbsteveveseyVesey’s View: Day two of camphttp://wivb.com/2015/08/01/veseys-view-day-two-of-camp/
http://wivb.com/2015/08/01/veseys-view-day-two-of-camp/#commentsSun, 02 Aug 2015 02:42:41 +0000http://wivb.com/?p=158571]]>It was another less-than-stellar day for quarterbacks, but somehow the receivers still managed to look great – especially the trio at the top of the depth chart.

Sammy Watkins has an incredible burst off the line. He was routinely blowing past corners – even beating Stephon Gilmore a couple times. I watched him stutter step past Ross Cockrell during one-on-ones, and he easily opened up a two-yard cushion before he was even five yards into his route. Another cool tidbit: Watkins spent more than a half-hour after practice, working with Dez Lewis and another young receiver on beating press coverage. Impressive, from a second-year player to be taking a leadership role like that.

Robert Woods and Percy Harvin really stand out as well. Woods just catches everything, and Harvin is electric.

On the downside, Marquise Goodwin dropped a couple passes after sprinting to get open, and Chris Hogan’s been less steady than usual early on in camp.

None of the three quarterbacks is really standing out. Don’t sound the alarm yet, but it definitely leads to an uneasy feeling around that position.

John Miller went down with an ankle bruise – he’ll be fine. The interesting part was that Cyril Richardson was the man to replace him in the starting lineup. That tells you how impressed the coaching staff is with Richardson.

Rex Ryan also revealed Leodis McKelvin had a setback with his ankle, which means more time with the starters for rookie corner Ronald Darby, who certainly looks like he belongs right now.

Whatever divisive reputation the talented yet troubled player established during his first six NFL seasons, it’s not something Harvin wants accompanying him to Buffalo, his fourth stop in as many years.

“I know the person I am and the person I’m going to become,” Harvin said Saturday. “I’ve learned from all my lessons. And I’m just going to keep growing as a person, as a teammate, as a son, as a future husband.”

At 27, Harvin’s looking only forward.

He hints there might be a wedding engagement in his near future — “It’s heading that way,” Harvin said, breaking into a smile.

On the field, Harvin is taking a team-first approach in a bid to dispute the label Sports Illustrated recently applied by referring to him as the NFL’s “most-hated player in the locker room.”

He’s open to accepting any role the Bills offer: receiving and returning kickoffs. And Harvin will even propose one more: Cornerback.

It’s a position Harvin took a few snaps at on Friday, when the Bills opened camp.

“I definitely feel like I can run with anybody in the league,” Harvin said. “I’ve got good footwork. Great hips. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and always kept in my tool bag.”

Coach Rex Ryan was intrigued enough to give Harvin’s proposal a shot.

“This is just a ‘Let’s see what he can do,'” Ryan said. “But obviously, he’s got the physical skillset that you would think he’d probably be pretty good at it.”

Veteran safety Corey Graham was left impressed.

“Man, that’s sweet,” he said. “It shocked me. You never see anybody of that caliber who’s willing to do that. So it means a lot.”

Without prompting, Graham then took issue with Harvin’s critics.

“Everybody always talks bad about Percy,” he said. “I don’t see it at all. He’s a great team player. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes.”

Harvin is in Buffalo, where he’s running out of second chances during what’s been a mercurial career.

It began in 2009 when the Vikings’ first-round draft pick was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after scoring eight touchdowns — six receiving and two returning kickoffs.

The low point came midway through last season. Scuffles with then-Seahawks teammates Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate led Seattle to abruptly trade Harvin to the New York Jets for a conditional draft pick.

In March, Harvin signed a three-year contract — though only the first season is guaranteed — with Buffalo, where he is reunited with Ryan after the two developed a close bond in New York.

Signing with Buffalo was what Harvin called “a no-brainer.”

Now it’s on him to re-establish himself after injuries and distractions limited him to just 52 catches for 500 yards and one touchdown and another TD rushing over the past two seasons.

“Me and Rex Ryan, we fell in love with each other,” Harvin had said in April. “When I came here, they were excited to have me here. So I don’t look at the past. I only look to the future. And the world has yet to see me really explode like I’m about to.”

Harvin didn’t back down when reminded of those comments Saturday.

“I just know what I’m capable of,” he said. “It’s not something I haven’t done before. I just want to do that consistently and just be a better son, a better brother and just overall a better person.”

“Actually,” Harvin added, “I like the way I’m heading. And I’m going to keep heading in that direction.”

NOTES: Ryan said the Bills are working with the NFL to determine Aaron Kromer’s status after prosecutors in Florida on Friday dropped a battery charge against Buffalo’s offensive line coach for allegedly punching a boy in the face last month. Kromer, who is on paid leave, is expected to rejoin the Bills next week, but faces potential disciplinary action, including a suspension or fine. … Ryan revealed the Bills are keeping CB Leodis McKelvin off his feet as a result of an undisclosed injury that has the starter on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. McKelvin was spotted sitting in a golf cart watching practice. … The Bills claimed OT Terren Jones off waivers, a day after being released by Tennessee. He’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 341 pounds, and played one game for the Titans last season.

Cassel, Tyrod Taylor, and EJ Manuel are expected to rotate until Rex Ryan and his staff decide on a winner. To rotate them through practice more quickly, Ryan has two groups going at once on separate parts of the practice field.

“That’s something (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman has brought to us,” said Ryan. “He did that at Stanford, he did that also at San Francisco. I think it’s a great idea. It’s not necessarily that you’re doubling the reps, but you’re getting more reps for your guys.”

None of the three quarterbacks stood out during Friday’s session – the first organized practice for any of them in more than a month. Ryan says he’s not over-analyzing every throw.

“Well I don’t think that is what we are going to do, ‘Well hey he moved ahead, he had a great throw here.’ I don’t think it is going to be like that. At the same time every day is important,” said Ryan.

For the quarterbacks, it’s a friendly competition. Tyrod Taylor and Matt Cassel both spoke after practice, saying their group gets along very well and helps each other quite a bit. But in terms of competition, they all want to be the last one standing with the starters.

“It’s competition, whether it’s for starter or not, you still want to go out there and make the other person better. So it’s an understood competition, there’s no enemies or anything in there. Our job is to make the team better, and let the coaches decide at the end of the day who’s the best man for the team,” said Taylor.

“I think every time you go out there you’re trying to prove that you’re the guy and also that you’re prepared and ready to go. So of course there’s a sense of urgency each and every time, but I think at the same time you have to go out with an understanding that you can’t put too much pressure on yourself or you, you know you take away from what you’re trying to get done,” said Cassel.

Training camp continues Saturday with a 10am practice at St. John Fisher.

Click to view slideshow.]]>http://wivb.com/2015/07/31/qb-battle-begins-on-first-day-of-training-camp/feed/0Sat, 01 Aug 2015 01:15:49 +0000Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, Tyrod TaylorwivbsteveveseyMcCoy has fans buzzing as Bills open camphttp://wivb.com/2015/07/31/mccoy-has-fans-buzzing-as-bills-open-camp/
http://wivb.com/2015/07/31/mccoy-has-fans-buzzing-as-bills-open-camp/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 20:54:40 +0000http://wivb.com/?p=158117]]>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) – Running back LeSean McCoy had fans cheering, when he threw a football into the stands during the team’s first practice of training camp Friday. He kept the smile on his face, through his post-practice news conference.

McCoy, who came to the Bills in an offseason trade with the Eagles for linebacker Kiko Alonso, showed some quick feet in drills and made a dazzling catch during one-on-one work against linebackers.

“It felt good to get out here,” said McCoy. “It’s so different from just training, you know you try to train on different things to get your game better, and then out here is just so much football involved with the plays, the thinking, the mental aspect of the game, and It also feels good to get back with the teammates.”

He did address the party flyer that got a lot of attention last week, for women 21 and older, saying people “took it out of context.” He even joked about what Rex Ryan would have said about it.

“He gave me like a whole speech for about two hours. “You got to be about the team! If one guy has women, we all need women!” No I’m joking he didn’t say that,” said McCoy. “For the record it was not a weird orgy thing going on.”

Now that that saga is behind him, the focus shifts toward the field – but McCoy isn’t ready to talk playoffs so early in the preseason.

“You have to put the work in, you know you have to go through the steps. The playoffs are something hard. A lot of great players have never achieved that or even won a playoff game so, you got to get there first. Before any playoff talks or trying to end the streak all that type of conversation has to wait. Each day, each moment, each practice to get better,” said McCoy.

The Bills return to practice Saturday morning at 10am from St. John Fisher in Pittsford.

Click to view slideshow.]]>http://wivb.com/2015/07/31/mccoy-has-fans-buzzing-as-bills-open-camp/feed/0Sat, 01 Aug 2015 01:15:52 +0000LeSean McCoywivbsteveveseyMcCoy creates buzz as Buffalo Bills open training camphttp://wivb.com/ap/mccoy-creates-a-buzz-as-buffalo-bills-open-training-camp/
http://wivb.com/ap/mccoy-creates-a-buzz-as-buffalo-bills-open-training-camp/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 20:24:07 +0000http://wivb.com/ap/mccoy-creates-a-buzz-as-buffalo-bills-open-training-camp/]]>PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — After LeSean McCoy’s arrival in March excited much of the Buffalo Bills’ fan base, the running back decided to give back on the first day of training camp.

A little more than halfway through practice Friday, McCoy picked up a ball along the sideline and threw it into the stands, drawing a loud chorus of cheers.

“I always try to get the fans involved,” said McCoy, who was acquired in a trade that sent linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles. “No player is there actually looking forward to camp. So the fans come out here and cheer us up and get us going. I try to do the same.”

There was plenty for the estimated crowd of 3,000 to be excited about upon getting its first glimpse of the new-look, Rex Ryan-coached team in suburban Rochester.

The first big cheer went up about 20 minutes before practice began, when Ryan marched out on the field with numerous cameras in tow. A chant of “Freddie! Freddie!” went up, when fan-favorite veteran running back Fred Jackson emerged. And a buzz went through the stands once fans spotted new owners Terry and Kim Pegula along the sideline.

Terry wore a red Bills golf shirt, while Kim had on a red Bills T-shirt with the words “Let’s Turn It Up” printed on the back. The couple, which also owns the NHL Buffalo Sabres, made their camp debut since purchasing the Bills for an NFL-record $1.4 billion in October.

Add it up — new owners, new coach and several high-profile player additions — and it’s all why this is one of the most anticipated starts of a Bills training camp in more than a decade.

Ryan was upbeat.

“I thought it was going to be tough to find something that would top jumping out of a plane,” Ryan said, referring to his parachuting adventure two weeks ago. “But as a football coach, I think this topped it.”

Ryan is the former New York Jets coach who took over the Bills in January after Doug Marrone stepped down abruptly on Dec. 31. Ryan inherits a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 15 seasons, but is coming off a 9-7 finish, Buffalo’s best since 2004.

“It’s just a different feel,” Ryan said, comparing the start of this camp to his first with the Jets in 2009. “I don’t know if it’s because it is my second chance or whatever. I think I’m better prepared now than I was then.”

It’s a fresh start for McCoy, too. The two-time All-Pro and the NFL’s 2013 yards-rushing leader is adjusting to a new environment after feeling he was discarded by Eagles coach Chip Kelly after six seasons in Philadelphia.

The Bills are counting on McCoy to be the workhorse of a “ground-and-pound” run-first offense being introduced by Ryan and new coordinator Greg Roman.

Though McCoy had questions about the Bills immediately after being traded, he’s quickly become comfortable with Buffalo.

“What’s up Buffalo!” McCoy said.

When reminded he was in suburban Rochester, McCoy tapped his jersey and said: “You see my logo, man.”

McCoy has already created a few stirs in Buffalo over the past few months.

In May, he questioned whether Kelly had racial motivations in trading McCoy to Buffalo and releasing star receiver DeSean Jackson a year earlier.

Last week, McCoy turned heads when he posted on his Instagram account a “Females Only” invitation to a party he was scheduled to host. McCoy eventually removed the invitation after the Bills informed him he could not use the team’s logo.

McCoy said he canceled the party because of the media attention the invitation attracted.

“I should never have posted it,” he said. “I’ll take the blame for that.”

McCoy then changed the subject.

“That’s past me. That sounds small to me,” he said. “There’s so many more things in the NFL to talk about then our party.”

Ryan said he had only one problem with McCoy’s party.

“I did not get an invite,” Ryan said, breaking into a smile. “I’m a little disappointed about that.”

NOTES: DE Mario Williams passed his physical and was activated off the team’s active/non-football injury list in time for practice. Ryan said Williams was bothered by a sore back. … PK Dan Carpenter (groin) and CB Leodis McKelvin (undisclosed) remain on the active/non-football injury list. … WR Percy Harvin took a few snaps at cornerback. Ryan said it’s an experiment that was first proposed by Harvin.

Family and friends of the former football standout say Brown died from a heart attack while being treated for football-related dementia. Brown played six seasons for the Buffalo Bills, and one season for the Houston Oilers.

Throughout his career, Brown rushed for 2,171 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He came to Buffalo from the University of Missouri in 1977 and played in the NFL until 1982.